Plant development of Ranunculus asiaticus L. tuberous roots is affected by different temperature and oxygen conditions during storage period

The objective of this research was to carry out comparative agronomical trials of eleven genotypes of Ranunculus asiaticus L. and to evaluate the effect on their physiological traits and agronomic features of storage conditions before planting. The effect of temperature and oxygen concentration during storage of the tuberous roots was evaluated. The cold pre-treatment accelerated flower initiation and development in all genotypes. Storage of tuberous roots for one year at 2 degrees C kept their sprouting ability at satisfactory level (around 90%). Qualitative and quantitative differences have been observed in different genotypes at the level of root carbohydrate pool and cell structure. Atmosphere composition had no significant effects on the stored propagation units.